Today is special in two ways. First, it marks the fourth anniversary of Think-Biblically.com. That’s right, we’ve been helping people build connections with God and teaching people to think God’s thoughts for four years. This is truly a labor of love, and we prove that every day by being free of advertising and memberships. This is not a financial venture, it’s a spiritual one. While our reader base isn’t as grand as some sites, we’re proud to have helped others increase their faith and improve their relationship with our creator. So please celebrate with us today the work we do for you and for our Lord.

The second reason today is special is we are starting a new series on the book of Philippians, an important book that contains some of the most beautifully written and memorable lessons on Christian living. We hope you enjoy it and find this study a worthy way to kick off year four.

Introduction to Paul’s Letter to the Church of Philippi

Author and Setting:

One of Paul’s “prison epistles,” Philippians was written alongside the letters Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon about ad 60-62 (during the term of his first imprisonment in Rome). The city of Philippi was named by Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, who took the city from the Thracians in the 4^th century B.C. and named it after himself. The area was rich with gold mines and strategically located. Being on the east-west Egnatia Highway between Rome and Asia, it was a cross road connecting Asia and Europe. The city later served as the launching point for Alexander the Great’s military campaign to conquer the world.

From 1914 to 1938 the French School of Athens conducted a series of excavations in and around the city. Especially interesting was the find of a great arched gateway that once spanned the width of the Egnatia way. It leads out of the northeast and toward the only real river in the area. Paul would have passed through this arch on his way out to join a prayer group on the Sabbath as recorded in Acts 16.12-.15. Acts 16 also tells that it was in Philippi that Paul and Silas were imprisoned. While doing hard time, a miraculous earthquake had opened the doors and loosed their shackles. When the pair refused to escape, it led to an opportunity to lead the jailer to Christ.

This city was also where Paul established his first church. Paul’s missionary work in Europe was lunched from this great city, and was the setting for the very first European baptisms. As a Roman colony Philippi held all the rights and privileges of Roman citizenship, including exemption from taxes (a privilege called the “Italic Right”). For this reason, Paul’s discussion of our heavenly citizenship held special meaning for them. With such a rich history, there is no wonder Paul wrote the church of Philippi its own letter and gushes over many of its members and leaders.

The Big Idea:

Although the initial purpose for writing to the church at Philippi was to thank them for their love offering, Paul takes advantage of the opportunity to warn them against competition among the saints and false teachers. According to Paul, the Christian life is best lived through brotherly love for one another and strict obedience to the God of grace.